asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport, in relation to Bord Fáilte which is wholly financed by the State, (1) the amount of State finance received by it in 1978 and that proposed for 1979, (2) if he, as Minister, is fully answerable to the Dáil for its activities and, if not, the manner in which it itself is answerable to the Dáil, (3) if he is satisfied that there are opportunities for adequate parliamentary scrutiny and control of its activities, (4) if the same controls apply as to the appointment of staff by it as to appointment of additional staff within the Department itself; if not, if he will explain the differences and the reason for them and (5) if the same degree of job security is enjoyed by its employees as is enjoyed by officers and servants of his Department.
Written Answers. - Bord Fáilte.
1. Bord Fáilte received £13,547,273 from the Exchequer in 1978. The sum allocated for 1979 is £15,315 million.
2. My relationship with Bord Fáilte and its accountability to the Oireachtas is governed mainly by the relevant legislation. I have overall responsibility for the general operations and activities of the board and for the policies it pursues but not for matters of ordinary day-to-day administration.
3. Yes, apart from the opportunity for debate in the course of the annual Estimates, there is frequent legislation relating to the activities and finances of Bord Fáilte. I hope to sponsor further amending legislation in the very near future.
4. The recruitment of staff for the Department is done through the Civil Service Commission. Under section 11 of the Tourist Traffic Act, 1939, Bord Fáilte has statutory freedom in relation to staff recruitment.
5. The conditions of service of Bord Fáilte employees, including job security, are a matter for the board. While these approximate generally to civil service conditions a categorical comparison is not possible.